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I.4)Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

I.5)Main activity

Other activity: Marketing/Tourism

Section II: Object

II.1)Scope of the procurement

II.1.1)Title:

PR Agency Services in North America

Reference number: VSEH19015

II.1.2)Main CPV code

79416000

II.1.3)Type of contract

Services

II.1.4)Short description:

VisitScotland is looking to contract a full-service Public Relations agency with specialised expertise in the travel sector to deliver a wide portfolio of PR activities in the US and Canada in support of VisitScotland’s global brand strategy. The contract comprises 2 lots (Lot 1: Consumer Focus/Lot 2: Business to Business Focus) and will be for a period of 1 year, beginning August 2019, with the possibility to extend for up to 2 further years at VisitScotland’s discretion.

II.1.5)Estimated total value

II.1.6)Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: yes

Tenders may be submitted for maximum number of lots: 2

The contracting authority reserves the right to award contracts combining the following lots or groups of lots:

Lots 1 and 2.

II.2)Description

II.2.1)Title:

Consumer Focus PR

Lot No: 1

II.2.2)Additional CPV code(s)

79416000

II.2.3)Place of performance

NUTS code: 00

Main site or place of performance:

North America.

II.2.4)Description of the procurement:

VisitScotland is looking to contract a full-service Public Relations agency with specialised expertise in the travel sector to deliver a wide portfolio of Consumer PR activities in the US and Canada in support of VisitScotland’s global brand strategy.

II.2.5)Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

II.2.6)Estimated value

II.2.7)Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 12

This contract is subject to renewal: yes

Description of renewals:

2 x 12 month renewals.

II.2.10)Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: no

II.2.11)Information about options

Options: no

II.2.12)Information about electronic catalogues

II.2.13)Information about European Union funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: no

II.2.14)Additional information

II.2)Description

II.2.1)Title:

Business to Business Focus PR

Lot No: 2

II.2.2)Additional CPV code(s)

79416000

II.2.3)Place of performance

NUTS code: 00

Main site or place of performance:

North America.

II.2.4)Description of the procurement:

VisitScotland is looking to contract a full-service Public Relations agency with specialised expertise in the travel sector to deliver a wide portfolio of Business to Business PR activities in the US and Canada in support of VisitScotland’s global brand strategy.

II.2.5)Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

II.2.6)Estimated value

II.2.7)Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 12

This contract is subject to renewal: yes

Description of renewals:

2 x 12 month renewals.

II.2.10)Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: no

II.2.11)Information about options

Options: no

II.2.12)Information about electronic catalogues

II.2.13)Information about European Union funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: no

II.2.14)Additional information

Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information

III.1)Conditions for participation

III.1.1)Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers

III.1.2)Economic and financial standing

III.1.3)Technical and professional ability

III.1.5)Information about reserved contracts

III.2)Conditions related to the contract

III.2.1)Information about a particular profession

III.2.2)Contract performance conditions:

III.2.3)Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract

Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract

Section IV: Procedure

IV.1)Description

IV.1.1)Type of procedure

Open procedure

IV.1.3)Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system

The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement

Framework agreement with several operators

Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement: 2

IV.1.4)Information about reduction of the number of solutions or tenders during negotiation or dialogue

IV.1.6)Information about electronic auction

IV.1.8)Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: yes

IV.2)Administrative information

IV.2.1)Previous publication concerning this procedure

IV.2.2)Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date: 24/06/2019

Local time: 12:00

IV.2.3)Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates

IV.2.4)Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted:

English

IV.2.6)Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender

VisitScotland will incorporate a minimum of 10 calendar days standstill period at the point of information on the award of the contract is communicated to tenderers. This period allows unsuccessful tenderers to seek further debriefing from the Contracting Authority before the contract is entered into. Applicants have 2 working days from the notification of the award decision to request additional debriefing and that information has to be provided a minimum of 3 working days before the expiry of the standstill period. Such additional information should be required from Eileen O’Neill as determined at Point I.1) of this notice. If an appeal regarding the award of contract has not been successfully resolved The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rule to take action in the Sheriff Court or Court of Session. Any such action must be brought promptly (generally within 3 months). Where a contract has not been entered into the Court may order the setting aside of the award decision or order the authority to amend any document and may award damages. If the contract has been entered into the Court may only award damages. The purpose of the standstill period referred to above is to allow parties to apply to the Courts to set aside award decision before the contract is entered into.

VI.4.4)Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained